Heat is on Doncaster's A&E staff
DONCASTER Royal Infirmary has seen a rise in emergency visits - as soaring temperatures sparked health fears.
Doctors at the accident and emergency department in the hospital in Intake believe the heat - which yesterday reached 29C, making it the hottest day of the year in the borough - was responsible for the increase.
Hospital communications manager Hazel Brand said: "There has been an increase in people coming to A and E, mainly children, with heat-related problems. However, it's impossible to be precise as 'effects of the heatwave' isn't a diagnosis, but breathing difficulties would be.
"Some children have been brought in just feeling unwell. They've been cooled down, but generally the diagnosis is 'nothing abnormal detected'."
The rise in visits came as forecasters raised the heatwave warning alert level from two to three in some parts of the country. The highest alert is four.
Wayne Elliott, head of health forecasting at the Met Office, said: "There are four key things to try and remember during a heatwave.
"If possible stay out of the heat during the middle part of the day, cool yourself down, keep your environment cool and look out for others, especially older people, those living alone, babies and young children."
For some, the high temperatures have been good news.
Deputy chairman of Doncaster Pubwatch, Julian Clark, says the heatwave has been a boon for bars in Doncaster, where staff have seen trade thriving.
Mr Clark, who runs Tonik on the corner of Wood Street and Cleveland Street, said during the daytime customers had been rushing in for a drink - and to take advantage of air conditioning.
"People have been coming in and sighing with relief to be out of the heat," he said. "I've had people come in and just say 'give me something cool and refreshing. Anything you can put ice in is selling well.
"Everyone comes out when the weather's like this. For us I would say trade is up because of the heat and air conditioning at what is a difficult time for business - so I hope the hot weather keeps going!"
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Friday 10 February 2012
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